KR20230166789A - A method for transmitting product information to pos device and a refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of linking a refrigerator and a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine includes the steps of receiving table information from an actor; Opening the door of the refrigerator; A step of recognizing products taken out by the actor among the products loaded in the refrigerator; Closing the door of the refrigerator; and transmitting the recognized product information and table number to the POS device, wherein the recognized product information includes information about the product name and product price.

Description

A method of transmitting information on products taken out of a refrigerator to a POS device and a refrigerator transmitting information about products taken out from a refrigerator to a POS device {A METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING PRODUCT INFORMATION TO POS DEVICE AND A REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a method of transmitting information on products taken out of a refrigerator to a POS device and a refrigerator that transmits information about products taken out from a refrigerator to a POS device. In particular, when a customer or a clerk opens the refrigerator door and takes out a product in a business place such as a restaurant, the product is taken out. This relates to a refrigerator linked to a POS machine that remotely transmits table information and product information to a POS machine after recognizing a loaded product, and a method of transmitting product information taken out from the refrigerator to the POS machine.

In general, when ordering is done in a business establishment such as a restaurant, a customer calls an employee at the table, the employee listens to the customer's order, moves to the counter placed at the entrance of the restaurant, and types the ordered product through the POS machine. Select and enter the quantity. All orders made at the table are accumulated and recorded in the POS machine, and when the customer leaves the store, the customer's payment method is read by the payment terminal linked to the POS machine and payment is made.

However, in such a product ordering environment, employees are required to manually enter product information into the POS machine. However, since employees generally do not enter detailed product information into the POS machine, they are vulnerable to obtaining detailed information about the products being sold. The disadvantage is that product management becomes inaccurate. For example, if a specific restaurant sells soju a1 and a2 from company A and soju b1 and b2 from company B, even if the employee receives an order for soju a1 from company A from a customer, the employee actually enters only “soju” in the POS system. Enter all product names as “a1”. This is because if the prices of all four products are the same, errors in sales will not occur even if the product name of the sold product is not entered. In this situation, it is difficult for restaurants to manage sales volume for individual products, and it is difficult for alcohol manufacturers to build sales big data for each product. Nevertheless, because there was no special means to correct the clerk's operation of the POS machine, this problem persisted.

In addition, in the above situation, when a customer orders alcohol at a table, the employee moves to the table where the call occurred, listens to the alcohol order, moves to the refrigerator loaded with alcohol, takes out the alcohol, and then moves back to the table to serve the customer. After delivering the alcohol to the customer, they move to the POS machine to input the ordered product, which has the disadvantage of being inefficient as the clerk's labor is invested unnecessarily.

The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to link an artificial intelligence refrigerator capable of product recognition with a POS machine to automatically transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator along with table information to the POS machine, This saves the effort of manually entering ordered products separately into the POS machine, and creates an environment in which detailed sales volume management for each product is possible because detailed information about the product is recorded in the POS machine during the product recognition process.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a method of linking a refrigerator and a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and transmitting product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine includes the steps of receiving table information from an actor; Opening the door of the refrigerator; A step of recognizing products taken out by the actor among the products loaded in the refrigerator; Closing the door of the refrigerator; and transmitting the recognized product information and table number to the POS device, wherein the recognized product information includes information about the product name and product price.

Additionally, the step of receiving the table information includes providing a QR code corresponding to a specific table number or an RFID matched to the specific table number; Recognizing a QR code or RFID from the actor through a scanner installed in the refrigerator; and identifying a specific table number from the QR code or RFID.

In addition, the actor is a first customer, and the step of receiving the table information includes recognizing the first customer's smartphone QR code through a scanner installed in the refrigerator; requesting the first customer to input his or her table number through a display unit installed in the refrigerator; and receiving an initial input of a table number from the first customer.

Additionally, after initially receiving the table number, transmitting a table number confirmation request to the smartphone of the first customer; and receiving approval from the first customer.

In addition, after receiving approval from the first customer, recognizing the second customer's smartphone QR code through a scanner installed in the refrigerator; requesting the second customer to input his or her table number through a display unit installed in the refrigerator; and receiving a table number from the second customer, wherein when the table number entered by the second customer matches the table number entered by the first customer, the first customer's smartphone transmitting the table number entry fact; and receiving approval or rejection from the first customer.

Additionally, when approval is received from the first customer, the door of the refrigerator may be opened, and when approval rejection is received from the first customer, the door of the refrigerator may not be opened.

In addition, after the step of receiving approval from the first customer, a step of receiving a table number from a clerk through the display unit, wherein the table number entered by the clerk is the table number entered by the first customer. If it matches, transmitting the fact that the table number has been entered to the smartphone of the first customer; and receiving approval or rejection from the first customer.

Meanwhile, a refrigerator that transmits shipped product information to a POS device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described object includes: a refrigerator main body including a product storage unit and a door for loading at least one type of product on a shelf; A scanner installed on the refrigerator body and receiving table information from the actor; A display unit installed on the refrigerator main body and receiving table information from the actor; a control unit that controls the operation of the refrigerator main body; and a communication module that communicates with the POS machine through a network communication network, wherein the refrigerator body recognizes the product taken out by the actor using a vision camera provided inside, and uses the table information input through the scanner and the recognition. Information about the purchased product is transmitted to the POS machine through the communication module.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a customer or a store clerk takes out a product from an artificial intelligence-based refrigerator, the product recognized by the refrigerator and detailed information about the product are automatically transmitted and recorded to the POS machine, so that the product handled at the store It has the advantage of being able to manage sales volume in detail down to the product name.

In addition, customers can self-order and receive orders, and the clerk's movement line is reduced when ordering, which has the advantage of reducing waste of physical labor.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an environment for performing a method of transmitting product information taken out of a refrigerator to a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerator that transmits shipped product information to a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting exported product information to a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting exported product information to a POS machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting exported product information to a POS machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 6A to 6C are flowcharts showing a modified example of a method for transmitting exported product information to a POS machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the following examples may be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is as follows. It is not limited to examples. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure more faithful and complete, and to fully convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In addition, in the drawings below, the thickness and size of each layer are exaggerated for convenience and clarity of explanation, and the same symbols refer to the same elements in the drawings. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the listed items. In addition, the meaning of "connected" in this specification refers not only to the case where member A and member B are directly connected, but also to the case where member C is interposed between member A and member B to indirectly connect member A and member B. do. The terms used herein are used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, when used herein, “comprise, include,” and/or “comprising, including” refer to mentioned features, numbers, steps, operations, members, elements, and/or groups thereof. It specifies the presence and does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements and/or groups.

Although the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various members, parts, regions, layers and/or parts, these members, parts, regions, layers and/or parts are limited by these terms. It is obvious that this cannot be done. These terms are used only to distinguish one member, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Accordingly, a first member, component, region, layer or portion described below may refer to a second member, component, region, layer or portion without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Space-related terms such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” are used to refer to an element or feature shown in a drawing. It can be used to facilitate understanding of other elements or features. These space-related terms are for easy understanding of the present invention according to various process states or usage states of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, if an element or feature in a drawing is turned over, an element or feature described as “bottom” or “below” becomes “top” or “above.” Therefore, “below” is a concept encompassing “top” or “below.”

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an environment for performing a method of transmitting product information taken out from a refrigerator to a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the environment for transmitting product information taken out from a refrigerator to a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is the configuration diagram of the refrigerator that transmits energy to the refrigerator. Hereinafter, the refrigerator 100 that transmits shipped product information to the POS machine 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a refrigerator that performs a function of automatically recognizing the product taken out when the customer directly takes the product out of the refrigerator 100 and transmitting information about the product to the POS machine 130. It is (100). In a situation where a customer(s) enters a restaurant, is assigned a table, and orders food or alcohol, if one of the customers present at the same table takes out a product (alcohol, etc.) from the refrigerator 100 on his or her own without the need to call a clerk, The refrigerator 100 has a function to remotely transmit information related to the product, such as what product is taken out, what the product name is, the quantity of the taken out product, and the price of the product, along with the table number, to the POS machine 130 placed in the store. Equipped with In addition, even when a clerk takes out a product on behalf of a customer, the clerk enters the customer's table number, goes through the customer approval process, and then takes the product out of the actual refrigerator 100, and the customer's table number and product information are automatically stored in the POS machine ( By transmitting the order to the POS machine 130, it is possible to perform substantially the same function as directly entering the order product into the POS machine 130 without the clerk having to go directly to the POS machine 130 that is far from the refrigerator 100.

The refrigerator 100 according to the present invention that performs this function includes a refrigerator main body 110, a scanner 140, a display unit 150, and a control unit 164.

The refrigerator main body 110 includes a product storage unit for loading at least one type of product on a shelf, and a door 120 for opening and closing the front opening of the product storage unit. In the product storage unit, a plurality of shelves (not shown) are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and a vision camera (not shown) is installed on the bottom of each shelf to photograph the space between the shelves.

The vision camera generates multiple images taken of each space of the product storage unit at preset time intervals. In other words, all information such as the floor where the product is located, the row, and the position within the row are captured by the vision camera. In particular, the vision camera may maintain a constant operating state and capture real-time images of the space at predetermined time intervals regardless of whether the door is opened or closed, but may be configured to capture images only during the time between the door opening and closing. For example, when a door opening/closing sensor (not shown) is installed and the opening/closing sensor recognizes a door opening or door closing operation and transmits this to the control unit 164, the control unit 164 starts the operation of the vision camera at the time of the door opening and opens the door. By stopping the operation of the vision camera at the time of closure, the vision camera can be controlled to operate only when the product compartment is open and capture the space only during that time.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the product taken out by the actor is specified by comparing and analyzing the before and after images captured by the vision camera. Specifically, the video or image captured by the vision camera is stored in the server. Among the videos or images captured before the door 120 is opened, the video or image captured at the time closest to the door opening time is used as basic data. Then, among the images or images captured after the door 120 is opened, the image or image captured at the time closest to the door closing time is set as comparison data. The basic data is an image before the product is removed from the shelf, and the comparative data is an image of the product in the state in which the product was purchased and removed. The product recognition unit 161 compares the basic data and the comparative data to specify the product taken out by the actor. . Information about the product taken out by the actor may be stored in the storage unit 163.

Meanwhile, the door 120 may be configured to include a square-shaped frame and a transparent window, and the frame is hinged to one side of the product storage unit, for example, the right side, and is rotatably installed in the product storage unit. One side of the frame includes a locking means for locking and unlocking the product storage unit. When a locking signal is transmitted from the server's control unit 164, the door 120 is set to a locked state with the product storage compartment closed. In the locked state, the locking means of the frame is physically bound to the product storage unit, allowing the user to open the door from the outside ( Even if you pull 120), the product compartment does not open. Conversely, when an unlocking signal is transmitted from the server's control unit 164, the door 120 is set to the unlocked state so that the product storage part can be opened. In the unlocked state, the door 120 can be separated from the product storage part by external force. It becomes a state. The locking means may include an electronic locking control device. Meanwhile, the transparent window may be made of a transparent material such as glass or acrylic so that the buyer can see the inside of the product compartment even when the door 120 is closed.

Meanwhile, the display unit 150 is installed in the refrigerator main body 110 and can display at least one product information. As described above, when the refrigerator door 120 is opened and the actor closes the refrigerator door 120 after taking out the product, information on the product taken out by the actor is specified by the vision camera, and the product taken out from the refrigerator 100 Information such as the product name, product quantity, and price of the product may be configured to be exposed on the display unit 150.

Meanwhile, table information can be input from the actor through the display unit 150. The display unit 150 may be configured as a touch display, and a keypad for entering numbers may be displayed on the screen, and the actor may enter the table number by touch. At this time, the actor is the subject who enters the product, and the customer becomes the actor and enters his or her table number on the screen and then takes the product out of the refrigerator 100 when the door 120 is opened, or an employee of the restaurant is the actor. receives the customer's order, inputs the customer's table number into the display unit 150, and takes the product out of the refrigerator 100 when the door 120 is opened. Embodiments related to table input through the display unit 150 will be described in detail later.

Meanwhile, the scanner 140 is installed in the refrigerator main body 110 and receives table information from the actor. According to the present invention, as will be described in detail later, the customer's table information is configured to be input in two different ways, one of which is by having the actor scan the RFID matched to a specific table number on the scanner 140. This method involves entering your table information or scanning a QR code on the scanner 140. At this time, the QR code may be a QR code newly created by the restaurant to correspond to a specific table number, or it may be a QR code stored on the user's smartphone. The scanner 140 is a device utilized in an embodiment according to this method.

For example, a physical mark containing a unique RFID chip that can identify the table number of each table placed in a store may be placed on each table in the form of a plastic tag or sleeve. The customer can enter his or her table information by going to the refrigerator main body 110 with the RFIF tag of the table he or she is sitting at and scanning it on the scanner 140.

Additionally, table information can be entered using a QR code instead of an RFID tag. As one example embodiment, table information can be entered using a unique QR code corresponding to the table number. For example, when a customer enters a restaurant, the clerk assigns a table, creates a new unique QR code assigned to that table, and distributes it to the customer in printed form. The QR code corresponds to the customer's use of the restaurant for a certain period of time. It can be used as a means to specify table numbers. Customers can enter their table information by going to the refrigerator main body 110 with the distributed QR code printout and scanning it on the scanner 140.

As another exemplary embodiment, table information can be entered using the customer's unique QR code set on the customer's smartphone. For example, when a customer loads a QR code on his or her smartphone, goes to the refrigerator body 110, and scans the QR code with the scanner 140, a table number input window is activated on the display unit 150, and the customer enters his or her table number. Upon touch input, the QR code used by the customer is matched with the table number entered by the customer after final consent. Accordingly. Afterwards, if you scan the QR code again with your smartphone, it will be recognized as the previously entered table number.

Meanwhile, the communication module 165 performs data communication with the POS machine 130 through a network communication network. This communication module 165 can support wired/wireless communication.

Meanwhile, the control unit 164 controls the operation of the refrigerator main body 110. For example, when a table number is input through the display unit 150, the control unit 164 transmits a door opening signal to the locking means to open the door 120 of the refrigerator. In addition, after the refrigerator 100 recognizes the shipped product, the control unit 164 closes the door 120 of the refrigerator by transmitting a door closing signal to the locking means. In addition, the control unit 164 can control the temperature of the product storage unit by controlling the operations of the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expander installed in the refrigerator main body 110.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the refrigerator body 110 recognizes the product taken out by the actor using a vision camera provided inside, and communicates table information input through the scanner 140 and information about the recognized product. It is transmitted to the POS machine 130 through the module 165. Information about the product may include the product name, quantity of the product purchased, product price, and manufacturer information. For example, each time the actor takes out a product, information about the product may be programmed to be transmitted to the POS machine 130.

Meanwhile, Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting exported product information to the POS machine 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a method of linking the refrigerator 100 and the POS machine 130 according to the present invention to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator 100 to the POS machine 130 will be described.

First, a step (S100) of receiving table information from the actor is performed. According to the present invention, the step of receiving table information (S100) can be performed in various ways, and the table information can be input through the display unit 150 or the scanner 140.

First, referring to FIG. 4, the table information input method according to the first embodiment includes providing a QR code corresponding to a specific table number or an RFID matched to a specific table number (S101), and a step of providing a QR code corresponding to a specific table number or an RFID matched to a specific table number. It may include recognizing a QR code or RFID from the actor through the scanner 140 (S102) and identifying a specific table number from the QR code or RFID (S103).

In this first embodiment, a physical mark is provided for each table placed in the store to identify the table, and the actor identifies his or her table by scanning the mark with the scanner 140 to order a product. . As such a mark, a QR code or RFID can be employed. For example, a physical mark containing a unique RFID chip that can identify the table number of each table placed in a store may be placed on each table in the form of a plastic tag or sleeve. The customer can enter his or her table information by going to the refrigerator main body 110 with the RFIF tag of the table he or she is sitting at and scanning it on the scanner 140. Additionally, table information can be entered using a unique QR code corresponding to the table number instead of an RFID tag. For example, when a customer enters a restaurant, the clerk assigns a table, creates a new unique QR code assigned to that table, and distributes it to the customer in printed form. The QR code corresponds to the customer's use of the restaurant for a certain period of time. It can be used as a means to specify table numbers. Customers can enter their table information by going to the refrigerator main body 110 with the distributed QR code printout and scanning it on the scanner 140. When a QR code or RFID is scanned by the scanner 140, the table information recognition unit 162 of the server identifies the table number from these marks.

In this first embodiment, the actor may be the customer himself or a clerk who received the customer's order. The customer personally goes to the refrigerator 100 with the table identification mark of the table he or she is sitting at and scans it to enter the table number and obtain the product. The clerk receives the order from the customer and then holds the table identification mark of the table the customer sits at. The product is taken to the refrigerator 100 and scanned to enter the customer's table number, then the product is acquired and delivered to the customer.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, in the table information input method according to the second embodiment, the actor is the first customer, and the step of inputting table information is performed by the first customer through the scanner 140 installed in the refrigerator 100. Recognizing the smartphone QR code (S110), requesting the first customer to input his or her table number through the display unit 150 installed in the refrigerator 100 (S120), and receiving the table number from the first customer It may include a step of receiving the first input (S130).

This second embodiment does not use a physical sign placed in the store, but rather allows customers to enter table information using a QR code assigned to their smartphone. For example, when a customer loads a QR code on his or her smartphone, goes to the refrigerator body 110, and scans the QR code with the scanner 140, a table number input window is activated on the display unit 150. When a customer touches and inputs his or her table number, the display unit 150 displays a window asking whether or not to agree to matching the corresponding QR code to the entered table number. After the customer gives final consent, the customer scans his or her smart phone. The phone's unique QR code matches the table number previously entered by the customer. Accordingly, by initially scanning the smartphone QR code and matching it with one's table number, when ordering later, the smartphone QR code can be scanned through the scanner 140 to be recognized as the previously entered table number. At this time, after receiving the table number from the actor, it is also possible to receive gender and age information of customers seated at the table. To this end, for example, the display unit 150 may recognize the table identification information and then display a customer information input window to allow the actor to input the customer's gender, number of people, and age group information.

Next, referring again to FIG. 3, after receiving the table number, a step (S200) of opening the door 120 of the refrigerator 100 is performed. The table information recognition unit 162 opens the door ( The door 120 is opened by transmitting a signal that controls the locking means of the door 120.

Next, a step (S300) is performed to recognize products taken out by the actor among the products loaded in the refrigerator 100. As described above, images of products placed on the shelf are captured at preset time intervals through a vision camera installed at the bottom of the shelf, and images or images taken before the door 120 is opened are captured. Image difference information is generated by comparing the captured videos or images, and from this information, it is possible to specify which shelf and which row the product was displayed in. Based on this, the product name and product name of the product finally selected by the agent are identified. You can specify the purchase quantity and product price. At this time, information about the product taken out by the actor may be stored in the storage unit 163.

Next, a step (S400) of closing the door 120 of the refrigerator 100 is performed. When the product to be taken out is specified, the product recognition unit 161 transmits a signal to control the locking means of the door 120 to the control unit 164, and the control unit 164 operates the locking means of the door 120 again to open the door ( 120) is closed.

Next, when the door 120 is closed, a step (S500) of transmitting the recognized product information and table number to the POS machine 130 is performed. Recognized product information includes information about the product name and product price. Product information, along with the table number, is transmitted to the POS machine 130 through the communication module 165 described above. That is, the information about the product stored in the storage unit 163 may be set to be transmitted to the POS machine 130 whenever the door 120 is closed. Additionally, the sales time of the product may also be stored in the storage unit 163. For example, the time at which the product is taken out and the door is closed can be regarded as the sales time of the product and stored in the storage unit 163. As another embodiment, it is also possible to record and manage the product information stored in the storage unit 163 at the POS machine by considering the time when the product information stored in the storage unit 163 is transmitted to the POS machine 130 as the sales time. And, after the product information is transmitted to the POS machine 130, the information about the product taken out by the actor may be deleted from the storage unit 163.

For example, if the first customer sitting at table number 10 takes out a bottle of soju from the refrigerator after the door 120 is opened, the product recognition unit can specify a specific product name as "like the first time" instead of "soju", and the image Based on the difference information, it can be recognized that a bottle of soju has been taken off the shelf. In this case, “1 bottle” “just like the first time” can be stored in the storage unit 163 along with table number 10. And, when the door 120 is closed, this product information is transmitted to the POS machine 130. In the POS machine 130, products ordered and shipped from table 10 are accumulated and recorded.

According to this configuration, the refrigerator 100 uses a product recognition algorithm (i.e., an algorithm that uses image difference information) to specify the product name and automatically transmits it to the POS machine 130, so the employee can order the product at the POS machine. Compared to the conventional ordering method of directly entering the order, not only is the management of sold products very accurate, but it also has the advantage of being able to manage the consumption of products in a specific category in detail down to the product name level.

In particular, assuming that a restaurant sells alcohol only through a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention (that is, if the employee does not use the method of receiving customer orders, removing alcohol from a general refrigerator, and manually entering it into the POS machine), the restaurant sells alcohol only through a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. All alcoholic beverages sold at can be specifically recorded on the POS machine, down to the product name level. Furthermore, for alcoholic beverages of a specific product name, information on the sales time, the time interval between orders at the same table, and the number of units consumed at the same table can be recorded in the POS machine, so all specific sales records for the product are converted into data. It can be cumulative.

Meanwhile, Figures 6A to 6C are flowcharts showing a modified example of a method for transmitting exported product information to the POS machine 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 6A, the method of receiving table information according to the above-described second embodiment is to confirm the table number on the first customer's smartphone after the step (S130) of first receiving the table number from the first customer. A step of transmitting a request (S140) and a step of receiving approval from the first customer (S150) may be further performed. As described above, in the second embodiment, the customer's smartphone's unique QR code matches the specific table number entered by the customer, so the concept is to obtain final confirmation from the first customer before completing the matching. By doing this, the error of the first customer's QR code matching with another table number due to the first customer's mistake can be reduced.

Meanwhile, Figure 6b shows that after the first customer matches his or her smartphone QR code with his or her table number, a second customer, not the first customer, enters the first customer's table number into the display unit 150. In a situation where a product is ordered, the concept is to obtain confirmation from the first customer already matched to the corresponding table before opening the door 120 of the refrigerator 100. Referring to FIG. 6B, the method of receiving table information according to the above-described second embodiment is after performing the step (S150) of receiving approval from the first customer as described in FIG. 6A, the refrigerator 100 Recognizing the second customer's smartphone QR code through the scanner 140 installed in the second customer (S160), requesting the second customer to input his or her table number through the display unit 150 installed in the refrigerator 100 (S170), and a step of receiving a table number from the second customer (S171) are additionally performed. And, if the table number entered by the second customer matches the table number entered by the first customer, a step of transmitting the table number input to the first customer's smartphone (S180) and approval from the first customer or A further step of receiving a rejection (S190) is performed.

Typically, a customer who enters a restaurant and places his or her first order for a product using the QR code on his or her smartphone goes through the process of scanning the QR code, entering a table number, and obtaining approval, as described above. And, from the second order, the door 120 is opened and the product can be ordered simply by scanning the QR code on one's smartphone. Of course, even if a second customer who does not match his or her smartphone QR code with his or her table number scans his or her smartphone QR code without going through the matching step, the display unit 150 will request input of the table number on the screen. will be. In this case, if the table number entered by the second customer is an empty table number or a table where there are customers but ordering menus using the conventional analog method, an error message may be displayed and the second customer's product order may be stopped.

However, if the table number entered by the second customer is the table number already being used by the first customer, the first customer must go through the verification process. If the first customer and the second customer are present together, the first customer will enter approval after receiving the fact that the table information has been entered. In this way, in a relationship where the first customer and the second customer are acquaintances sitting at the same table, even if the person who initially matched the table number is the first customer's smartphone QR code, the second customer can order the product simply by entering the table number. It can proceed.

On the other hand, if the first customer and the second customer are sitting at different tables and do not know each other, the first customer can input rejection after receiving the fact that another person has entered his/her table information from the refrigerator 100. will be. When approval is received from the first customer, the refrigerator 100 opens the door 120 of the refrigerator 100, and when approval rejection is received from the first customer, the refrigerator 100 does not open the door 120. .

In this way, even when ordering a product using a smartphone QR code, a person sitting at the same table can place an additional order, and a person sitting at a different table can intentionally enter a different table number and order the product without permission. Measures can be taken to prevent this.

Meanwhile, Figure 6c shows that after the first customer matches his smartphone QR code with his table number, a clerk who is not the first customer receives the order from the first customer and displays the first customer on the display unit 150. In a situation where a table number is entered and a product is ordered, the concept is to obtain confirmation from the first customer already matched to the corresponding table before opening the door 120 of the refrigerator 100. Referring to FIG. 6C, after performing the step of receiving approval from the first customer (S150) as described in FIG. 6A, a step of receiving a table number from the clerk through the display unit 150 (S161) is further performed. It can be done. And, if the table number entered by the clerk matches the table number entered by the first customer, a step of transmitting the table number input to the first customer's smartphone (S180) and approval or rejection from the first customer. A receiving step (S190) is performed.

In this way, even when ordering a product through a clerk, the first customer can recognize that his or her table number has been entered by the clerk, and even though the first customer did not order a product from the clerk, his/her smart phone number can be recognized by the clerk. When the table number input information is sent to the phone, the clerk recognizes this as a mistake and sends an approval rejection to stop the clerk from taking out the wrong product.

What has been described above is only one embodiment of the method for transmitting product information taken out of a refrigerator to a POS device and a refrigerator transmitting product information taken out to a POS device according to the present invention, and the present invention is based on the above-mentioned embodiments. Without limitation, the technical spirit of the present invention to the extent that anyone skilled in the art can make various changes and implementations without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the following claims. It will be said that there is.

100: Refrigerator 110: Refrigerator body
120: Door 130: POS machine
140: scanner 150: display unit
161: Product recognition unit 162: Table information recognition unit
163: storage unit 164: control unit
165: communication module

Claims (8)

A method of linking a refrigerator and a POS machine to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine,
Step of receiving table information from the actor;
Opening the door of the refrigerator;
A step of recognizing products taken out by the actor among the products loaded in the refrigerator;
Closing the door of the refrigerator; and
Transmitting the recognized product information and table number to the POS machine;
Including,
The recognized product information includes information about the product name and product price,
How to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine. According to paragraph 1,
The step of receiving the table information is,
Providing a QR code corresponding to a specific table number or an RFID matched to a specific table number;
Recognizing a QR code or RFID from the actor through a scanner installed in the refrigerator; and
Identifying a specific table number from the QR code or RFID;
which includes,
How to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine. According to paragraph 1,
The actor is the first customer,
The step of receiving the table information is,
Recognizing the first customer's smartphone QR code through a scanner installed in the refrigerator;
requesting the first customer to input his or her table number through a display unit installed in the refrigerator; and
Receiving an initial table number from the first customer;
which includes,
How to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine. According to paragraph 3,
After the initial input of the table number,
Transmitting a table number confirmation request to the first customer's smartphone; and
Receiving approval from the first customer;
which includes,
How to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine. According to paragraph 4,
After receiving approval from the first customer,
Recognizing the second customer's smartphone QR code through a scanner installed in the refrigerator;
requesting the second customer to input his or her table number through a display unit installed in the refrigerator; and
Receiving a table number from the second customer;
Including,
If the table number entered by the second customer matches the table number entered by the first customer,
Transmitting the fact that the table number has been entered to the smartphone of the first customer; and
receiving approval or rejection from the first customer;
which includes,
How to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine. According to clause 5,
Opening the door of the refrigerator when approval is received from the first customer, and not opening the door of the refrigerator when receiving rejection of approval from the first customer,
How to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine. According to paragraph 4,
After receiving approval from the first customer,
Receiving a table number from a clerk through the display unit;
Including,
If the table number entered by the clerk matches the table number entered by the first customer,
Transmitting the fact that the table number has been entered to the smartphone of the first customer; and
receiving approval or rejection from the first customer;
which includes,
How to transmit product information taken out of the refrigerator to the POS machine. A refrigerator main body including a product storage unit and a door for loading at least one type of product on a shelf;
A scanner installed on the refrigerator body and receiving table information from the actor;
A display unit installed on the refrigerator main body and receiving table information from the actor;
a control unit that controls the operation of the refrigerator main body; and
A communication module that communicates with the POS machine through a network communication network;
Including,
The refrigerator main body uses a vision camera provided inside to recognize products taken out by the actor, and transmits table information input through the scanner and information about the recognized products to the POS machine through the communication module. to,
A refrigerator that transmits information about shipped products to the POS machine.